South Eastern Railway opens 54 sports quota posts for 2026-27

South Eastern Railway has invited online applications for 54 posts under its sports quota for the 2026-27 recruitment year, with vacancies across athletics, hockey, archery, football, kabaddi, volleyball and other sporting disciplines.

According to the recruitment notification issued by the Office of the Principal Chief Personnel Officer, Garden Reach, Kolkata, applications will be accepted from October 31 to November 30, 2026. The deadline is 11.59 pm on November 30.

The vacancies comprise five posts at Pay Level 4/5, 16 at Level 2/3 and 33 at Level 1 under the 7th Central Pay Commission structure.

Vacancies across sporting disciplines

The five Level 4/5 posts include two in men’s athletics, covering the 200-metre event and high jump, one in men’s chess, one for a forward in women’s hockey and one in women’s table tennis.

The 16 Level 2/3 vacancies include four in men’s athletics, three in archery, two in women’s hockey and individual posts across disciplines such as men’s bodybuilding, bridge, cycling, women’s gymnastics, men’s hockey and women’s rifle shooting.

The remaining 33 Level 1 posts cover ball badminton, cricket, football, golf, men’s and women’s kabaddi, kho-kho, volleyball, water polo and weightlifting.

Age limit and educational qualifications

Applicants must be between 18 and 25 years of age as on January 1, 2027. The notification does not provide for age relaxation. Candidates must meet the prescribed sports achievement criteria for their respective disciplines, with eligible achievements generally required to have been earned on or after April 1, 2024.

Educational qualifications vary by pay level. Level 4/5 posts require a university degree or equivalent. Level 2/3 posts generally require Class 12 or specified equivalent qualifications, while Level 1 posts require Class 10, ITI or an equivalent qualification, subject to the requirements of the post.

Selection through trials and verification

Selection will be based on sports trials followed by verification of sports and educational certificates. The assessment carries 100 marks: 50 for recognised sports achievements, 40 for game skills, physical fitness and the coach’s assessment, and 10 for educational qualifications.

The minimum qualifying marks are 70 for Level 4/5, 65 for Level 2/3 and 60 for Level 1. Candidates must also meet the minimum qualifying requirement for the sports trial.

How to apply

Eligible Indian nationals can submit applications online through the Railway Recruitment Cell, South Eastern Railway website at www.rrcser.co.in. Applicants must upload the prescribed photograph, signature, left thumb impression, identity proof, educational certificates and documents supporting their sports achievements.

The railway has cautioned candidates against fraudulent agents, stating that recruitment will be based on merit and that it has not appointed any agent or coaching centre to secure selection.

The dates and venues for sports trials will be notified separately on the recruitment website. Selected candidates may be posted anywhere under South Eastern Railway and will be required to fulfil the applicable medical and other appointment formalities.

Source: South Eastern Railway, Employment Notice No. SER/Pers/Sports Quota/OA/2026-27.